§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they refuse to answer questions concerning the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty—on the grounds that it is "bilateral" between the United States and Russia—when Prime Minister Thatcher saw the treaty as so important to the continued credibility of British deterrent forces that she thought it right to persuade President Reagan to give a commitment (the "Camp David Four Points") to seek no changes in the treaty without consultation with Britain.
§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey:My noble friend Lady Thatcher agreed with President Reagan in December 1984 on four points related to the then United States Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). This included the principle that SDI-related deployment would, in view of treaty obligations, have to be a matter for negotiation. But it remains our practice not to comment on the interpretation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, to which the United Kingdom is not a party.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they welcome Mr. Primakov's statement that Russia will not accept any amendment of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey:We support the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty as an important component of the strategic arms control regime. It is for the parties to the treaty to agree on any proposed amendments.